Development of dyslipidemia in patients after complex treatment of central nervous system tumors in childhood

Aim. To assess the impact of comprehensive anticancer therapy on lipid and hormonal profile markers in individuals who underwent treatment for central nervous system (CNS) tumors during childhood.

Material and methods. A single-center, cross-sectional study included 48 patients who underwent surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation treatment for CNS tumors in childhood. Lipid and hormonal profiles were analyzed.

Results. In young patients (21.7±4.3 years) who had undergone comprehensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and cranial radiation for CNS tumors in childhood, the cumulative cranial dose of radiation therapy was found to be an independent predictor of dyslipidemia development and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels >3,0 mmol/l. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between LDL-C level and the cumulative cranial dose (r=0.414; p=0.007). Statistically significant correlations were also observed between total cholesterol (TC) values and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (r=-0.41; p=0.028), LDL-C and IGF-1 (r=-0,44; p=0,028), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and somatotropin (r=-0.44; p=0.033). Furthermore, LDL-C level was associated with changes in thyrotropine (TSH) (r=-0.39; p=0.017), and VLDL-C was correlated with TSH (r=-0.42; p=0.016).

Conclusion. Patients who underwent complex treatment of CNS tumors in childhood demonstrated a high frequency of dyslipidemia associated with the cumulative cranial dose of radiation therapy. Considering the presence of endocrinological disorders, in particular somatotropic insufficiency and hypothyroidism, their influence on dyslipidemia development can be assumed. The potential influence of glucocorticoid therapy during oncological treatment on lipid profiles cannot be ruled out. These findings support the necessity of developing practical recommendations for dynamic follow-up of patients who have undergone comprehensive treatment for malignant CNS tumors during childhood, to ensure timely detection of cardiovascular diseases.

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